This is one talking point in the NFL I think really holds up. Lots of stats really go straight out the window come playoffs because there is always that one team or two that peaks right at the end of the season and into the playoffs. And that's the team to watch, that no one wants to play.

It was the Giants the 2 times they won their Super Bowls. It was certainly the Eagles in SB 52.

Wonder who that team is for SB 53? We have a few contenders.. the most obvious to me is the Eagles, yet again. Feels like history is repeating itself with them becoming underdogs where Nick Foles propels them. Though he might be hurt now. Not sure the extent of it. That could damper their chances dramatically. If Foles plays, look out. If not, I think they lose their first game.

Then there's Seattle. They have won it all before, solely off of late season momentum.

New Orleans and the Rams seem to be steady but more like walking into the playoffs, instead of rolling. So if they lose early I won't be surprised one bit.

In the AFC, Indy is that team to me. I feel the same way about Kansas City and New England that I do about the #1 and #2 in the NFC, primed for a loss.

Really all the AFC #3-6 teams have momentum on their side. So I fully expect the Colts or Chargers to go the furthest.

And if momentum rules the day for SB 53... that means the wild card games will have the 2 super bowl teams in it this year. That's my prediction.

How important do you think momentum is going into the playoffs? Think it was dumb or smart for the Saints to rest Drew Brees even though they got a first round bye, for example?

Crazy it just took 1 year for Clemson to make it back after losing Deshaun Watson. I thought that was what made them elite. Apparently its way beyond that. Can't help but root for Tua in this one though. Saban may be annoying, but Tua is really fun to watch.

Not at all. I actually enjoy it. Though I get why smaller teams that landed really big names in the draft would be upset and want 'justice'. Still, nah. There's enough ego and clout in NBA personalities across the board that all of this should balance itself out without guys like Lebron getting in trouble.

We got a few minor changes to the NHL rule book for the 2018-2019 season, but none that most were hoping for. No changes to the offside rule (which I didn't expect) and also no changes to how they handle late hits (which I definitely expected).

They did update the rule on awarding goals. That part in parenthesis is the change, mainly the 'would have' aspect:

A goal will be awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team has taken their goalkeeper off the ice and an attacking player has possession and control of the puck (or would have gained possession and control) in the neutral or attacking zone, without a defending player between himself and the opposing goal, and he is prevented from scoring as a result of an infraction committed by the defending team.

They also slightly updated goalkeeper equipment regulations. Taller goalkeepers can now request longer paddles. And they added 'torso padding' requirements. Also more specified rules to elbow padding and clavicle protectors, etc etc.

Boring stuff really.

Where are the major changes, like we routinely see in the NFL now? Lots of people were hoping for a change to Coach's Challenge calls. Then there's the two changes I mentioned above: offside rules and late hits. When do you think the league will address these?